After an incredible summer of sailing we might even have chance to enjoy an Indian Summer. I remember saying in the June newsletter “Who can possibly complain about the amazing warm winds and sunshine in flaming June. Roll on July and August for more of the same.” Well August didn’t quite reach expectations but September has certainly started well. It’s been another busy summer at MCS – Itchenor SC and Langstone SC staged annual training weeks for Junior and Youth focusing on improving sailing skills and racing development. There were also race winners in the Tideway fleet and Laser 4.7 class regatta events who enjoyed success on the podium. ‘Get Racing Club’ goes from strength to strength encouraging new sailors to race supported with coaching from mentors at HISC. Read on for more details ….
Itchenor SC Mirrors
Glorious weather and perfect winds greeted both Mirror Training Weeks at Itchenor Sailing Club in the heart of Chichester Harbour, West Sussex. The event is so popular it runs over two consecutive weeks in July every year attracting twenty Mirrors (forty children) in each week. For the second year running Melvyn Cooper took the reigns as RYA Senior Instructor to oversee this year’s training programme. Working with an enthusiastic team of sixteen team leaders, instructors and assistants sailors in each week, the 5 day course covered a range of sailing and racing skills for both helm and crew. Beginners learned the first steps of tacking accurately, boat teamwork, sailing close-hauled and reaching by the end of the week. The Intermediate group developed boat handling race skills including spinnaker work, racing rules and winning a start. One of the highlights of both weeks for everyone was successfully sailing their Mirrors to East Head and enjoying a picnic and playing games on the stunning beach in amazing weather – how cool is that!
Nikki Miller race winner
Bosham Sailing Club Tideway sailors Nikki Miller and Rosie Hanbury are both on a high after achieving unexpected top race results. A second place overall in the Bosham Regatta was a great result. Then in a highly competitive fleet of 20 Tideway entries the girls then secured 3 wins to move them up the ranking into second overall in the summer series. Nikki added, “I was childishly thrilled on Saturday because Rosie and I came second in the Regatta. Never having achieved such a thing before made it very special! On top of this we managed three firsts in the class series beating the person who wins absolutely everything! We are are so thrilled and excited!” Good luck to Nikki and Rosie for the rest of the summer series.
Langstone SC thrive
Langstone Sailing Club staged its fourth Junior & Youth RYA Training Week between 28th July – 1st August 2014. The club became an RYA Recognised Training Centre in 2011 providing RYA dinghy sailing courses for Junior, Youth and Adult members. Melvyn Cooper RYA Senior Instructor together with a team of RYA Instructors, RYA Race Coaches and RYA Assistant Instructors together with parents and helpers contributed to making this a highly successful training week. New for 2014 saw the introduction of the RYA Intermediate Racing course which attracted top LSC sailors training in the RS Fevas (photo above) focused on building a higher level of race experience for up and coming youth.
Marcus Rogers wins
Marcus Rogers experienced a very short transition period between saying goodbye to his RS Tera Pro and sailing his new Laser 4.7 and entering his first race. After only one day of MCS coaching Marcus was on a high from winning the Mengham Rythe SC Laser 4.7 class Youth race week with an impressive score 1.1.1.1.2.2.1 just 1 point ahead of Jack Eastwood in second. The following week Marcus competed in the HISC Youth Week finishing a creditable 3rd overall in a strong Laser 4.7 fleet and winning race four in the series against top class squad sailors. Marcus Rogers said after the race “I’m very happy with winning a race in this quality fleet” To top his run of success Marcus won the HISC Youth Regatta with 3 firsts on Saturday 30th August 2014.
Try Get Racing Club
Get Racing Club at Hayling Island Sailing Club continues its successful formula attracting members into racing. GRC organiser Melvyn Cooper explained “The racing programme is run by experienced HISC sailors twice a month and comes in the form of 3 short back-to-back races with a briefing, debriefing and coaching on the water. It’s a great way to test your sailing skills and meet fellow sailors.” Launched in April 2014 this new racing initiative for adults and over 15’s has enjoyed 20 sailors twice a month competing in members own boats such as the Laser, RS Q’ba, RS200 and club RS Ventures. Rear Commodore Racing Nick Peters added “GRC is proving to be a very unique way to tap into the best advice and have a fun afternoon’s intro to racing – it’s not to be missed!” The final two events on the water are Saturday 13th September and Saturday 4th October 2014.